1. In 1862, the Homestead Act was passed by Congress, which allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land in Nebraska and other western states for free. This led to a massive influx of settlers in the state, and helped to shape Nebraska's economy and culture.

2. On April 24, 1888, a severe blizzard struck Nebraska and several other states, claiming the lives of more than 200 people and leaving thousands of cattle dead. Known as the "Schoolhouse Blizzard" due to the fact that many of the victims were schoolchildren caught in the storm on their way home, the tragedy had a profound impact on Nebraska's history and culture.

3. Nebraska became a state on March 1, 1867, but the state flag was not officially adopted until April 24, 1963. Designed by a group of Nebraska citizens, the flag features the state seal against a blue background with gold lettering.

4. In 1950, Nebraska native Johnny Carson made his debut as the host of a new NBC comedy show called "The Johnny Carson Show." Carson would go on to become one of the most iconic figures in American television history, hosting "The Tonight Show" for 30 years and earning the nickname "The King of Late Night."

5. On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire began the Armenian Genocide, a brutal campaign of violence and persecution that resulted in the deaths of up to 1.5 million Armenians. While Nebraska is not directly linked to this event, the state has a significant Armenian population, and many Nebraskans have worked to raise awareness of the genocide and honor its victims.